The document outlines the hierarchy and definitions of production staff roles for a theatrical production. It begins with the playwright and producer at the top of the hierarchy and progresses down through directors, designers, stage managers, and crew roles like carpenters, electricians, and stitchers. Key roles are defined such as the director overseeing the creative vision, stage manager running rehearsals and performances, and designers responsible for aspects like scenery, lighting, costumes, and sound. The hierarchy and definitions provide an overview of the organizational structure and responsibilities of production staff.

1. Production Staff
Theatre Arts I -T

2. Production Staff Hierarchy

3. Production Staff Definitions
• Playwright - Person who develops and writes the
script.
• Producer- Person who selects the script, secures
financial backing, leases the theater, & hires all
production personnel; the ultimate authority in the
organizational structure of a theatrical production.
• Director- the artistic manager and inspirational
leader of the production team; coordinates the work
of actors, designers, and crews so that the
production accurately expresses the production
concept.
• Production Concept- the creative interpretation of
the script, which will unify the artistic vision of

4. Production Staff Hierarchy
Playwright Producer
Director

5. Production Staff Definitions
• Stage Manager- Person who assists the director during
rehearsals and manages all backstage activity once the play
has opened; must be a member of AEA in professional
companies.
• Actors’ Equity Association (AEA)- the labor union
governing most professional stage actors and stage
managers.
• Prompt Book- a copy of the script with details about each
actor’s blocking as well as the location of all set, prop, light,
and sound cues.
• Technical Director- Person responsible for supervising all
crews.

6. Production Staff Hierarchy
Playwright Producer
Stage
Manager
Director
Technical
Director

7. Production Staff Definitions
• Scenic Designer- Person responsible for the design and
function of the scenery and properties.
• Lighting Designer- Person responsible for the design,
installation, and operation of the lighting and special
electrical effects used during the production.
• Costume Designer- Person responsible for the design,
visual appearance, and function of the costumes,
accessories, & make-up.
• Sound Designer- Person responsible for the design,
recording, and playback of all music and sound effects used
in a production, including live re-enforcement.

8. Production Staff Hierarchy
Playwright Producer
Stage
Manager
Scenic
Designer
Lighting
Designer
Costume
Designer
Sound
Designer
Director
Technical
Director

9. Production Staff Definitions
• Master Carpenter (Scene Shop Foreman)- Person
responsible for supervising the construction, mounting,
rigging, and shifting of the scenery.
• Property Master- Person responsible for the design,
construction, and finishing of the various decorative and
functional props used in a production.
• Master Electrician- Person responsible for the acquisition,
installation, and maintenance of all lighting equipment and
the supervision of the crews who hang, focus, and run the
lighting equipment.
• Wardrobe Supervisor- Person responsible for the
construction of the costumes and supervision of the
costume shop.

10. Production Staff Hierarchy
Master
Carpenter
Property
Master
Master
Electrician
Wardrobe
Supervisor

11. •Assistant Stage Manager- Responsible for relaying information
from the stage manager to company members. Works as the stage
manager when the stage manager is not present.
Production Staff Definitions

12. •Assistant Stage Manager- Responsible for relaying information
from the stage manager to company members. Works as the stage
manager when the stage manager is not present.
•Paint Charge- Assists the scenic designer by conceiving the paint
technique to achieve the over all look, organizing and overseeing
the painting, and treating the scenery and props to achieve the
proper end result.
Production Staff Definitions

13. •Assistant Stage Manager- Responsible for relaying information
from the stage manager to company members. Works as the stage
manager when the stage manager is not present.
•Paint Charge- Assists the scenic designer by conceiving the paint
technique to achieve the over all look, organizing and overseeing
the painting, and treating the scenery and props to achieve the
proper end result.
•Make-up Designer- Responsible for creating all general and
special effects make-up (including any prosthetics) for a
production.
Production Staff Definitions

14. •Assistant Stage Manager- Responsible for relaying information
from the stage manager to company members. Works as the stage
manager when the stage manager is not present.
•Paint Charge- Assists the scenic designer by conceiving the paint
technique to achieve the over all look, organizing and overseeing
the painting, and treating the scenery and props to achieve the
proper end result.
•Make-up Designer- Responsible for creating all general and
special effects make-up (including any prosthetics) for a
production.
•Sound Board Operator -Responsible for operating the sound
board during all performances. This includes all microphones, CD
players, computers etc.
Production Staff Definitions

15. Production Staff Hierarchy
Master
Carpenter
Property
Master
Master
Electrician
Wardrobe
Supervisor
Assistant
Stage Manager
Paint
Charge
Make-Up
Designer
Sound
Board Op

16. •Production Assistant- Responsible for the administration,
organization and secretarial work involved in producing a
play. Duties can include assisting actors and the crew,
issuing scripts, dealing with travel, sorting out enquiries and
other paperwork.
Production Staff Definitions

17. •Production Assistant- Responsible for the administration,
organization and secretarial work involved in producing a
play. Duties can include assisting actors and the crew,
issuing scripts, dealing with travel, sorting out enquiries and
other paperwork.
•Carpenter- A stagehand who builds sets and stage
elements.
Production Staff Definitions

18. •Production Assistant- Responsible for the administration,
organization and secretarial work involved in producing a
play. Duties can include assisting actors and the crew,
issuing scripts, dealing with travel, sorting out enquiries and
other paperwork.
•Carpenter- A stagehand who builds sets and stage
elements.
•Scenic Artist- Paints all sets, murals and any other
elements on all sets.
Production Staff Definitions

19. •Production Assistant- Responsible for the administration,
organization and secretarial work involved in producing a
play. Duties can include assisting actors and the crew,
issuing scripts, dealing with travel, sorting out enquiries and
other paperwork.
•Carpenter- A stagehand who builds sets and stage
elements.
•Scenic Artist- Paints all sets, murals and any other
elements on all sets.
•Prop Crew- Organizes and moves all the props. Also
maintains prop tables backstage for all hand props.
Production Staff Definitions

20. Production Staff Hierarchy
Master
Carpenter
Property
Master
Master
Electrician
Wardrobe
Supervisor
Assistant
Stage Manager
Paint
Charge
Make-Up
Designer
Sound
Board Op
Production
Assistant
Carpenter
Scenic
Artist
Prop
Crew

21. •Electrician- Responsible for all non-design aspects of the
lighting in a theatrical production. They may also be
responsible for special effects (such as fog) and powering
other electrical items (such as motors) used in the
production.
Production Staff Definitions

22. •Electrician- Responsible for all non-design aspects of the
lighting in a theatrical production. They may also be
responsible for special effects (such as fog) and powering
other electrical items (such as motors) used in the
production.
•Stitcher- Responsible for building all costumes.
Production Staff Definitions

23. •Electrician- Responsible for all non-design aspects of the
lighting in a theatrical production. They may also be
responsible for special effects (such as fog) and powering
other electrical items (such as motors) used in the
production.
•Stitcher- Responsible for building all costumes.
•Make-up Artist- Applies all make-up elements to
performers.
Production Staff Definitions

24. Production Staff Hierarchy
Playwright Producer
Stage
Manager
Asst. Stage
Manager
Production
Assistant
Scenic
Designer
Master
Carpenter
Carpenter
Paint
Charge
Scenic
Artist
Property
Master
Prop Crew
Lighting
Designer
Master
Electrician
Electricians
Costume
Designer
Wardrobe
Supervisor
Stitcher
Make-Up
Designer
Make-Up
Artist
Sound
Designer
Sound
Engineer
Director
Technical
Director